* CONTENT OF THE ARTICLE
Overview of Labor Day Weekend Travel
Americans are gearing up for a record-breaking Labor Day holiday weekend with nearly 23 million seats booked. According to data from booking site Hopper, Thursday and Friday will be the most crowded days to depart at airports across the United States, while Monday will be the busiest day to return. The trend indicates a 2.4 percent increase from the same period last year, with 86 percent of travelers headed to domestic destinations.
Top Busiest Airports
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), consistently the world’s busiest airport, will once again take the top spot this Labor Day weekend. The busiest time at ATL will likely be between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. Following ATL, Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) are expected to be most crowded in the evenings from about 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Other notably busy airports include:
- Denver International Airport (DEN) – most crowded in the mornings from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – most crowded in the mornings from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – most crowded in the evenings from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – most crowded in the mornings from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) – most crowded in the mornings from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) – most crowded in the mornings from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – most crowded in the mornings from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Most-Booked Destinations
As the unofficial end of summer, Las Vegas has emerged as the most-booked destination with flights averaging just $210 for a roundtrip. Chicago follows as the second most-booked destination, with Atlanta, Denver, and Dallas rounding out the top five. In total, more than 17 million travelers are expected to pass through U.S. airports this Labor Day weekend, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Travel Tips for a Smooth Experience
Experts recommend that travelers arrive at the airport early to avoid any travel snags. Most airlines advise arriving two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight to ensure a smooth journey.
